Obstetrical forceps



May 26, 1953 A. MlsEo 2,539,712

OBSTETRICAL FoRcEPs Filed sept. 2a, 1 950 2 sheets-sheet 1 Za/ 6 2 V6.56 38 INVENTOR.

F= -Ei ANTHONY MlsEo ATTORNEY May 26, 1953 A. MlsEo oBsTETRcAL FoRcEPs 2Sheets-Sheet 2 l Filed sept. 2a, 195o INVENTOR.

, ANTHONY MlsEo i ATTORNEY al'. NW www ma No. QW"` SP.

Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,639,712oBs'rE'rRlcAL FoRcEPs Anthony Misco, New York, N. Y.

Application September 28, 1950, Serial No. 187,315

12 Claims.

withdrawn, and turned 180 and reinserted be' fore it can be used fortraction of the child over the balance of the birth canal. Reinsertionof the forceps obviously is a delicate and timeconsuming operation andrisks the danger of infection and injury to the babys head.

It has been proposed to overcome the foregoing difficulty by providingan obstetrical forceps having a universal joint between the blades andhandles. This forceps would permit the blades to rotate during tractionand thus to turn with the head of the child as it passed through thebirth canal. Nevertheless, such forceps have not proved to besatisfactory because they could not lpositively rotate the child duringdelivery.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide anobstetrical forceps which has neither of the mentioned defects, that isto say which is so constructed that the blades can swivel relative tothe handle during traction and yet can be firmly locked in any positionwhereby the child can be turned in the canal as and when the doctordesires.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide anobstetrical forceps of the character described wherein the blades canswivel with respect to the handles and can be locked rigidly simply andquickly by handle-mounted controls.

I is another object of my invention to provide an obstetrical forcepsconstituting two mernbers, each of which includes a handle and a blade,wherein one of the members is so constructed that its introduction intothe birth canal subsequent to that of the other member is simplified.

It is another object of my invention to provide an obstetrical forcepsof the character described wherein the spacing between the blades can bequickly and easily varied by manipulation of a control on the handles soas to accommodate infants heads of various sizes.

It is another object of my invention to provide an obstetrical forcepsof the character described which is positive and efficient in operationand can be readily disassembled for cleaning and sterilization.

It is another object of my invention to provide an obstetrical forcepsof the character described whose parts are not unduly complex and whichcan be manufactured at a reasonable price.

Other objects of my invention will in part be obvious and in part willbe pointed out hereinafter.

My invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the device hereinafter described and of which the scopeof application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a top View of a pair of forceps constructed in accordance withthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 ofFig. 2, and showing details of the manipulative controls for selectivelylocking or unlocking swiveling movement of the blades and for varyingthe spacing therebetween;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line4 4 of Fig. 1, the same being illustrative of the outward aspect of theswivel joint;

Fig. 5 is a view of the inner side of one of the halves of the forcepsas itv appears when disengaged from the other half;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the other half of the forceps;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but on a larger scale and with theswivel joint in section;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views taken substantially along the line8 8, 9 9 and IIJ-I0, respectively of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 11 is a view of the swivel socket and locking means therefor.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 20denotes an obstetrical forceps embodying my invention. Said forcepsconstitutes two detachably engageable halves, to wit: a first half 22(see Figs. 1 and 5) and a second half 24 (see Figs. 1 and 6).

The first half includes a shank 26 having a handle 28 which is scallopedto facilitate grasping. 'I'he side of the shank facing the second halfis of U-shaped section to receive blade-controlling elements hereinafterdescribed in detail. The first half also includes a blade 30 ofconventional contour which is attached to the shank in a unique fashionembodying the present invention.

The second half also comprises a shank 32 including a handle 3. Saidshank has associated therewith a blade 35. The side of the shank 32facing the first half likewise is of U-.shaped section to receiveblade-controlling elements. By thus recessing both shanks and bycomplementally shaping their juxtaposed surfaces (inclusive of theblade-controlling elements) the two Shanks can be readily abutted overheir full lengths.

The blade has a tang 38 to which a hemispherical coupling member 4i!rigidly is secured by a semi-cylindrical stub rod 42. The axis ofsymmetry of said rod is coincident with a major diameter of thehemisphere and the truncated faces of the rod and hemisphere arecoplanar.

The other blade 3G is pivotally carrie-d by a pin M mounted on a tang d6to which a hemispherical coupling member Qd rigidly is secured as by asemi-cylindrical stub rod 5D. The rod 50 and coupling member i3 are ofthe same shapes and dimensions as the rod 42 and coupling member 49 andhave the same relative disposition. Thus, when the rods 42, d6 andcoupling members 40, 48 have their truncated faces placed against oneanother, there is formed a ball B which is connected by a cylindricalrod R to the tangsJ of the two blades.

It will be observed that the blade 36 is formed with a cavity 52 toaccommodate the pivot end of the blade 3B and the pedestals 54 betweenwhich the pivot end of the blade turns and to which the ends of the'pinit are secured.

For a purpose which later will be apparent, the truncated faces of oneof the coupling members and its associated rod, e. g. the member 123 androd 5i), are shaped to include as an integral part one-half of adetachable engaging means, for example, a key 56 of dove-tailcross-section, said key extending in a direction axially of theassociated blade and converging away therefrom. The truncated faces ofthe other coupling member 40 and rod i2 are shaped to snugly receivesaid key, being formed for this purpose with a groove 58 of dove-tailcross section which negatively conforms to the contours of the key. The

wide end of the groove 58 is unblocked, whereby to permit the keyreadily to be inserted therein. It will be apparent that when the key isthus positioned the two coupling elements are :firmly connected to formthe ball B.

Each coupling element is provided with a semi-circular dove-tail grooveS0, the ends of the two groovesv being aligned in the ball B to. providea continuous annular groove which circumscribes the ball along a greatcircle, thispreferably being the circle in the plane perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the rod R.

The two coupling elements are similarly mounted in their associatedShanks 2E, 32 and, accordingly, the mounting structure for only one ofsaid elements l0 will be described in detail. The components of themounting for the other element are denoted by the same referencenumerals primed.

The coupling member lll) has a semi-circular key 62 slidably received inits dove-tail groove Sil, said key being of dove-tail shape tocorrespond to the configuration of the groove. The two keys arein'register and denne a ring when the two halves of the detachableengaging are in mesh. Integral with the key E2 is one end of a pivotpost Sli` whose shank is threaded for engagement in a tapped bore 6 of acap 68 where it is held fixed by a set screw 75l. The coupling element40 is seated in a hemispherical socket 'I2 and the other couplingelement 48 is seated in a hemispherical socket '12. The two sockets faceone another and dene a spherical cage for the ball B.

The socket 72 is fashioned with a plane surface on the side thereofremote from the socket 72', said surface being provided with an opening14, to pass a protruding portion of the coupling element 40 and the post66. Said plane surface of the socket rests on a clamp plate 'I6 which isslidable on the inner surface'of the base of the U-shaped shank 26. Theupper edge of said clamp plate is slotted to pass the pivot post '64,the base of the slot being chamfered to match the curvature of the ballB.

The base of the U-shaped shank 26 is formed with an opening which passesthe pivot post 64, the cap t8 being on the outer side of said shank.Thus the pivot post extends through the socket '12, the clamp plate 'i6and the shank 28 to be fxedly received in the cap E8 whereby to permitrotation of the coupling element about the axis of the pivot posts, suchaction being accompanied by a corresponding rotation of the othercoupling element 48, the caps 68, 68', and the sockets l2, l2. Thesockets will rotate about the posts with the ball inasmuch as thesockets are provided with grooves la, T18' in which the rods 42, 5@ aresnugly received.

Rotation of the divers elements mentioned about the registered axes ofthe pivot pins 64, fili' is limited only by abutment of the tangs of theblades against the edges of notches 8l), Sil' in the sides of theU-shaped Shanks (see Fig. 1). The dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 8 areindicative of the extent to which the ball and blades can be swungv toeither side from a straight-ahead position.

Means is included to lock the socket and, therefore, the blades in anyangular position of rotation about the pivot pins. Said means includes abar 82 which is xed to and movable with the plate 'i6 in the U-shaipedshank 26. Said bar is fashioned with an opening 84 adjacent the endthereof remote from the ball, there being received in this opening a camSii mounted on a shaft 88. Said shaft is journaled in the handie 245,and is manipulated by a knob Eil. The end of the bar adjacent the ballis formed with an arcuately arranged set of teeth 92 which are designedto selectively mesh with a mating set of teeth 9d (see Fig. 11) on theperiphery of the socket 72.

It will be appreciated that when the knobs 9i), Sil are rotated todisengage the teeth 82, 92' from the teeth 9d, gli' 'and to disengagethe chamfered edges of the` plates i6 from the coupling element 4t, theball B will be free to turn about the axes of the pivot pins.

Moreover, said ball will be free to rotate within and relative to thering deiined by the two semi-circular keys 52, 52. Such second freedomof rotation is about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation ofthe `pins and through the axis of the ring, being unchecked by limitstops.

This latter rotation can be prevented at will by manipulating the handleSii to force the bar b2 and plate l@ toward the ball. At such time, thechamfered edges of the plates '78, it are frictionally wedged betweenthe base walls of the Shanks 26, 32 and the portions of the ball Bprotruding through the opening 11i, 'M' whereby to lock the ball.Simultaneously the teeth d2 on the bars 82, 82 mesh with the teeth 9d,94' positively to inhibit rotation of the sockets l2, l2 and ball Babout the registered axes of the posts 64,64', thus relieving some ofthe locking stresses on the chamfered edges of the plates 16, 16.Inasmuch as the locking action for the ball is controlled from the bladehandles irrespective of the positions of the blades, the blades can belocked or freed for swiveling movement at any time during delivery withthe blades anywhere in the birth canal.

In order to move the blade toward and away from the blade 36 about thepivot 'pin 44 another knob 90 is -provided on the handle. Said knob ison the projecting end of a long spindle 9S which is journaled in abushing |00 carried by and disposed at the remote end of the handle half22. Said spindle likewise is journaled in a'bearing |02 secured to saidhalf intermediate the ends thereof. The proximate tip |04 of the rod` isfashioned in a non-circular shape, as for example a hexagonal shape, forreception in a socket |06 of matching configuration. This socket visformed in one end of a screw |06 which turns in a tapped bore 0 providedin the coupling element 48 on which the male half or key 55 of thedetachable engaging means is located. The other end of the screw |08projects from the key so as to engage the tang of the blade 30. It willbe kapparent that when the screw is turned in one direction it willforce the blade 30 toward the blade 3S, and if the spindle is turned inthe opposite direction it will permit the blade 30 to move away from theblade 30, such latter movement being exemplified by the dot-and-dashposition of the blade 30 in Fig. 1.

If the tip of the spindle SB were permanently disposed in the socket ofthe screw |03, the ball could not swivel. Accordingly, to permitdisengagement of the spindle the same is mounted for axially shiftablemovement in the handle hall2 wherein it is supported. The full lineposition of the spindle shown in Fig. '7 is that wherein its tipoperably engages the screw |00, and the dotand-dash line position of thespindle in the same figure shows its disengaged location.. In order tomaintain the spindle in its disengaged position, the same has fixedlysecured thereto a malethreaded collar ||2 which is designed to engage atapped well ld coaxially disposed in the journal |02 at such time as thespindle is disengaged. It will be noted that the adjustable blade 30only can be moved toward the xed blade 36 when both blades are in theirstraight-ahead position, this being independent of the angular positionof the ball with respect to the keys 62.

Means is included to prevent relative axial movement of the two halves,i. e. relative movement parallel to the spindle 98. As is sho-wn herein,said means constitutes a latch l0 screwed on an externally threadedprojecting end of the bushing |00. Said latch is of elongated shape asviewed from the end of the handle and is provided with a notch |8 in oneof its longitudinal edges for receiving a headed pin |20 carried by thehalf 24. When the lpin lies within the notch the two handle halves arelocked against relative axial movement.

To use the instrument, it being assumed that the two halves 22, 213 areseparated from one another, the knobs 90 are turned to loosen thecoupling elements 50, 43 which, however, are retained againsttranslation by the semi-circular keys 62, 62'. Said elements are rotatedto dispose their truncated faces on the open sides of the U-shapedShanks with the plane `of thekeys 62, 62 perpendicular to thelongitudinal axes of said shanks. Thereupon the knobs are turned toprevent rotation'of the coupling elements which now are so positionedthat the detachable engaging means of the twohalves can be engaged. Theblades thus are rigidly connected to the Shanks.

The half 24 having the xed blade 36 is introduced into the birth canal.Thereafter the half 22 with the pivoted blade 30 is inserted. Duringsuch insertion, the blade 30 is free to move between two extremesdetermined by the position of the screw |08 whereby to facilitate entryof said blade. After both halves are in the canal, the detachableengaging means are coupled withl the blades on opposite sides of theinfants head. The latch |6 is turned to locking position. The knob 9B isrotated to disengage the collar ||2 from the well ||4 and the tip |04 ofthe spindle inserted in the socket |06. The knob 96 thereafter is turnedfurther to embrace the infants head with a suicient degree of iirmness.

The lpractitioner now is ready to assist in delivery of the infant bypulling upon the handle of the forceps and turning the same as may berequired positively to rotate Ithe infant. vWhen the delivery hasreached a Ipoint at which normally the forceps would have to bewithdrawn, turned and reins'erted, the knobs 90 are turned to free theball B and sockets 12, 12'. The handle now can be lswiveled with respectto the blades. If it is desired to exert traction only, the handlesimplyis pulled with a freely swiveling connection maintained betweenthe handle and blades. If simultaneously with the traction, it isdesired to exert a rotative effort, the knobs are turned to retightenthe connection between the handle and the ball in a new angular positionof the latter and this can be accomplished regardless of the relativeposition between the blades and hanldle.

It thus will be seen that I have provided an instrument which achievesall the objects of my invention and is well adapted to meet theconditions of ypractical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein described, or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. An obstetrical forceps comprising two halves, each half including anelongated handle and a blade, means to secure each handle to a differentone of said blades, said securing means including means to captivelyattach the blade to the handle for swiveling movement relative theretoabout a pair of perpendicular axes of which one includes thelongitudinal axis of the handle, means to render said swiveling movementineiective at will in any relative position of the blade and handle, andmanually manipulative means on the handle remote from the blades tooperate said last-named means.

2. An obstetrical forceps comprising two halves, each half including ahandle and a blade, means captively to secure each handle to a differentone of said blades against translation, said securing means includingmeans tol attach the blade to the handle for swiveling nio-vementrelative thereto, means to render said swiveling` movement ineffectiveat will in any relative position of the blade and handle, and manuallymanipulative means on the handle remote from the blades to operate saidlast-named means.

AnV obstetrical forceps comprisingl a pair of blades, an elongatedhandle, means to connect said blade to said handle for swivelingmovement relative thereto about a pair of perpendicular axes of whichone includes the longitudinal axis of the handle, means to render saidswiveling movement ineffective at will in any relative position of theblades and handle, and manually manipulative means on the handle remo-tefrom the blades to operate said last-named means.

4. An obstetrical forceps comprising two detachably interengageab-lehalves, each half including a handle and a blade, yeach blade includinga coupling element having a semi-circular open-ended groove with aconstricted mouth, the grooves on the two elements being adapted to bedisposed with theirends in registry to denne a circle, each handlehaving' rotatably secured thereon a semi-circular key slidable in one ofsaid grooves, the axes of rotation of the keys ,having aligned, andmeans mounted on the handles tosecure the coupling elements and keysvagainst rotation at will.

5. An obstetrical forceps as set forth in claim 4 wherein means isprovided selectively to de- A,

tachably engage the handles'- 6. An obstetrical forcepsk as set forth inclaim 5 wherein means is provided selectively to detachably engage thecoupling elements.

7. An obstetrical forceps comprising two halves, each half including anelongated handle and a blade, each blade including a semi-sphericalcoupling element having a semi-circular open-ended groove with aconstrictedmouth, the grooves on the two elements being adapted toy bedisposed with their ends in registry to define a circle,l each handlehaving rotatably secured thereon a semi-circular key slidable in one ofsaid grooves, the axes of rotation of said keys being aligned, and meanscontrollable from said handles selectively to frictionally bind the keysin the grooves whereby to secure the coupling elements against rotationat will.

8. An obstetrical forceps as set forth in claim 7 wherein the couplingelements include detachablyv engageable parts to secure said elements toone another for joint rotation as a ball.

9. An obstetrical forceps as set forth in claim 8 wherein the handlesinclude means selectively to prevent relative axial movement thereof.

10. An obstetrical forceps as set forth in claim 7 wherein one elementhas a straight key on its fiat surface and the other element a matchinggroove to detachably secure said elementsto one another for jointrotation as a ball.

11. An obstetrical forceps as set forth in claim 10 wherein one of theblades is mounted for movement toward and away from the other blade,wherein a screw is threaded through the straight key and is operable tovary the position of the movable blade, and wherein the screw i-sdetachably engageable by an axially slidable and rotatable spindlemanipulatable from apoint on a handle remote from the blades,

12. An obstetrical forceps comprisingr two deta-chably engageablehalves, each half including a handle and a blade, each blade including asemi-spherical coupling element havingr a semicircular open-ended groovewith a constricted mouth, the grooves in the two elements being ladapted to be disposed with their ends in regis-- try to dene a circleyeach handle having a socket in which the associated 4coupling element isseated, said socket having an opening through which a portion of theelement protrudes, said sockets defining a cage in which the elements'are jointly rotatable as a ball, said sockets having a joint openingthrough which members extend connecting the elements to the blades, saidball being rotatable about an axis extending through the second namedopening, each socket. having a set of teeth lying on a circle in a planeat rightangles to said axis, each handle having a semicircular keyslidable in one of said grooves, a post connected to each key, saidposts being rotatable in alignment on said handles, a plate slidable ineach handle into frictional engagement with the protruding position ofthe associated element, and means mounted on each handle to control theposition of the plate, said means including teeth for meshing with theteeth onV the socket when the plate frictionally engages the element.

ANTHONY MISEO.

References Cited in the le of' this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

